The Texas A&M board of regents announced Wednesday the approval of the redevelopment of Kyle Field, including plans to expand capacity to 102,500, making the longtime home of the Aggies the largest stadium in the SEC and the third-largest stadium in college football. The stadium's current capacity is 82,589 and ranks as the 14th-largest in the United States.
The move would surpass Neyland Stadium, home of the Tennessee Volunteers, which currently holds 102,455. Only Michigan and Penn State have a greater capacity nationally.
The projected move is set to cost the program $450 million and will begin after the 2013 football season and is scheduled for completion in 2015. The project will be funded by donations, seat licenses, student fees and ticket revenue, as well as a preferred facilities agreement between the Bryan-College station convention and visitors bureau that will use hotel and tax revenue for the next 30 years.
Led by their Heisman Trophy winning quarterback Johnny Manziel, Texas A&M gained national attention last season during its first year as a member of the Southeastern Conference. The Aggies were the only team to defeat eventual national champion Alabama during the regular season and defeated former Big-12 rival Oklahoma in the Cotton Bowl.
Texas A&M surprised many during both their first year of SEC play and under new head coach Kevin Sumlin. Sumlin guided the Aggies to an 11-2 record, while going 6-2 in what is regarded by most as the best conference in college football.
Kyle Field has served as the home of the Aggies since 1927. The stadium has been renovated three times and expanded four, with the most recent taking place in 2000.
Known as "The Home of the 12th Man," Kyle Field is notorious for a great deal of fan support, which creates a home field advantage for the Aggies.
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